The Crane is Down; The Phoenix Flies

Not yet quite soaring, the New Tower is nevertheless structurally complete. The Phoenix flies with a hard hat, as did the Leadership Team and I, led by our Project Manager on a magical mystery tour earlier this week.

In all likelihood the photos may even conjure doubts as to the feasibility of transforming a grey and dusty realm into the sparkling tower of enlightenment that we need to have ready five months hence. Such, in any case, were my anticipated sentiments before entering the space.

Almost instantly my doubts were allayed, as we crossed the portal's threshold opposite St. Joan of Arc. What a spacious lobby! I realize that CIS Hong Kong, unlike its Hangzhou incarnation, has never had anything one could call a lobby, let alone a stately indoor entrance. The stairway to the left beckoned toward the Mezzanine Gallery, and my mind instantly mapped to “The Space” on Hollywood Road where Monday evening's IB Visual Arts exhibition opening took place. This annual exhibition will move back to Braemar Hill in 2017, and I quickly saw the potential of a two-storey display not dissimilar to the cool Soho gallery.

After a glance at the ground floor Assembly Hall/Gym, we climbed and climbed, trailing the White Rabbit down holes, through tunnels and hallways where we were filled with wonder at newfound solid-wall display space, opposite to floor-to-ceiling glass views of the Country Park.

And oh, by the way, the lift is still up for naming rights. In what other room, save perhaps the privy, does one have no choice but to stare at what is posted on the four walls? A choice naming opportunity awaits a discerning CIS family!

Seen through the dust and the falling sparks from steel workers hanging high above the Atrium, the Science Lab appeared bigger than we had imagined and the Design Tech spaces even more capacious. Up to the Rooftop we flew, admiring the view of the valley from the terrace area behind Secondary staff office space.

Then, suddenly, we looked at our watches and jumped back into our usual round of meetings.

It all seems a bit unreal, but I am here to tell you that what lies ahead is exciting: new spaces and new learning, new wine in new wineskins.

Let's rename this year "The Year of the Phoenix"!

We are celebrating the first fruits of the Phoenix Soaring campus redevelopment: the completion of our four new Primary Collaborative Spaces.

Right after the Chinese New Year break, we had a small celebration with the four families who generously sponsored these classrooms. This week, everyone got involved, with students dancing, singing, and even conducting science and robotics experiments in these fantastic light-filled spaces. Thank you to all our student performers and donors, for making this moment possible.

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For those interested in being part of Phoenix Soaring, there are still attractive opportunities to sponsor classrooms and other facilities, or support the capital campaign in other ways. Please feel free to contact us, or Dede or Jennifer in the Development Office for more information.

Donations of all sizes are welcome and important to making this this campaign a success.

Next time you are on Braemar Hill, be sure to look up!

The New Tower is coming next and is expected to be ready for students and teachers to move in at the start of the 2016-17 academic year.

Please enjoy this video as a thank-you to all our alumni and parent donors to date.

It has been almost two years since the Phoenix Soaring project began. We have been touched by the commitment and loyalty of the 300-some CIS families, past and present, who are making this project happen for all our students. Your generosity is unparalleled. We would also like to thank all members of the community for their patience and goodwill through the construction works, which are ongoing until the end of 2017.

Our initial fundraising milestone is in sight and our fundraising efforts are continuing. If you are interested in contributing to Phoenix Soaring, or would like more information about the project, please contact Dede Huang, dhuang (+@cis.edu.hk) or Jennifer Wannenmacher, jwann (+@cis.edu.hk) in the Development Office.